Sounders FC name six prospects that will represent club at national “Final Event” of

Sueño MLS 2012 – presented by Allstate

SEATTLE (Monday, April 30, 2012) – Major League Soccer and Seattle Sounders FC announced today the names of five talented young field players and one “Good Hands®” top goalkeeper - El Portero Allstate finalist who will represent the club at the national “Final Event” of Sueño MLS 2012 – presented by Allstate. The nationally-televised player search is showcased on República Deportiva,the popular Univision weekly Spanish-language sports show that chronicles the tryouts in a “reality show within a show” format.

The six Seattle Sounders FC Finalists are:

Name

Position

Age

Hometown

Herbert Cojulun

Forward

17

Casey, SC

Ivan Marmolejo

Forward

17

Orondo, WA

Luis Alvaro Osornio

Forward

17

Federal Way, WA

Hector Palos

Goalkeeper

17

Philadelphia, PA

Jose Ramos

Midfielder

15

Tacoma, WA

Giovanny Soto

Forward

15

Wenatchee, WA

The six Seattle finalists, whose personal stories were featured on República Deportiva this past Sunday, fought their way past more than 400 competitors in an open tryout to earn a week-long trial with the Seattle Sounders FC Academy and a trip to the “Final Event” in Southern California, where they will be joined by the FC Dallas finalists announced last week (names below) and Chivas USA finalists yet to be selected.

The exciting four-day “Final Event” in Carson, California will be hosted by MLS Argentine soccer legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The finals will include training sessions, scrimmages, guest celebrity scouts, and an opportunity to meet some of the League’s biggest stars. The ultimate champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 13, live on República Deportiva (see calendar below for more information).

Returning to Sueño MLS for a second year is the Allstate “Good Hands®” top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate. One goalkeeper at each of the three local tryouts will be selected as the top goalkeeper and will also compete in the “Final Event” for the opportunity to be named El Portero Allstate and train with a MLS youth team. El Portero Allstate will be selected in conjunction with the winner of the Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate, and mentored by Mexican goalkeeping legend Adolfo Rios.

ABOUT THE SEATTLE FINALISTS:

Herbert Cojulun (Forward – 17 years old – Casey, SC)

South Carolina resident and Guatemala native, Helbert Cojulun, crossed the continent to showcase his skills at Sueño MLS 2012 - presented by Allstate the morning after his prom. “I did my best running on no sleep and lots of adrenaline,” he said. The effort paid off for the Brookland-Caycee High School junior scoring machine when the Seattle scouts picked him to represent the club at the national “Final Event.” He lists DC United among his favorite teams and loves Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Ivan Marmolejo (Forward – 17 years old – Orondo, WA)

Ivan Marmolejo is a talented Mexican-born forward with the ability to hold the ball. He lists Seattle Sounders FC as one of his favorite clubs and star forward Fredy Montero (whom he met during the tryouts) as one of his idols. He hopes to be the first person in his family to become a professional athlete.

Luis Alvaro Osornio (Forward – 17 years old – Federal Way, WA)

Mexican-born Luis Alvaro Osornio showed his resiliency when he elected to play through the pain of a knee injury sustained on the first day of competition. After a lackluster morning tryout on day one, he asked his parents to take him back to the fields, where he got a second chance and impressed the scouts. A speedy forward with the ability to play in the wings, the Thomas Jefferson High School soccer standout takes pride in his work ethic. He got the call that he made it to the second round of Sueño MLS 2012 – presented by Allstate while food shopping with his family in the evening at a local supermarket. “We celebrated in the cereal aisle,” he said.

Hector Palos is a Sueño MLS veteran, having reached the second round of the 2011 Philadelphia trials. The Great Valley High School star was determined to make the long trip to Seattle to prove that he is one of the best young goalkeepers in the country. Due to the cancellation of his original outbound flight, he needed to make connections in Houston and Las Vegas to make it on time for the trials. According to the scouts, Palos is a courageous player who is quick, anticipates well, and has good technique with sure hands. Born in Mexico, he lists the LA Galaxy and Real Madrid as his favorite clubs and Iker Casillas as his idol.

Jose Ramos (Midfielder - 15 years old – Tacoma, WA)

It’s not surprising that young playmaker Jose Ramos lists players like Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta as his favorites. Jose tried out for the Olympic Development Program and made the team at age 12. Seattle Sounders FC is one of his favorite teams.

Giovanny Soto (Forward – 15 years old – Wenatchee, WA)

Born in Los Angeles, Giovanny Soto has a great vision for the game which compliments his creative style. He lists Seattle Sounders FC and Real Madrid as his favorite teams and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar as his soccer role models. He left his home with his parents at 2 a.m. for the long drive to Seattle and his efforts paid off.

2012 TIMELINE

April 14-15 Local market tryouts (FC Dallas)

April 21-22 Local market tryouts (Seattle Sounders FC)

April 28-29 Local market tryouts (Chivas USA)

May 9-13 National Finals in Los Angeles

May 13 Announcement of winner on República Deportiva

The six FC Dallas Finalists already qualified are:

Name

Position

Age

Hometown

Livan Aguirre

Goalkeeper

14

Brownsville, TX

Jose Hernandez

Forward

16

Dallas, TX

Pedro Ocampo

Midfielder

17

Sterling, IL

Jose Romero

Forward

17

Athens, TX

Tony Santibanez

Forward

17

Plano, TX

Alfredo Vasquez

Midfielder

17

Athens, TX

PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible players must be males between the ages of 14 and 18 years old (born between dates of April 13, 1998 and May 14, 1994) with appropriate identification and retain their amateur status. Current collegiate student athletes will not be permitted to attend the final event in Carson, CA. Sueño MLS participants will be responsible for all personal expenses associated with the local market tryout, including travel to local tryouts, lodging, food, soccer equipment (shoes, training gear, etc.), etc. Program sponsors will cover all expenses for eighteen (18) participants selected to attend the final event in Carson, CA. For more information, please visit www.SueñoMLS.com. Participation in the event is free. Players may not register for more than one city.

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